Specimen Information

Transport to lab on ice. Tube MUST be centrifuged within 15 minutes of collection.Separated: 14 days refrigerated stability

Fasting Required?

False

Patient Instructions

Collect blood without using a tourniquet into gray top tube. Immediately chill the specimen.

Reference Range

0.5-2.2 mmol/L

Methodology

Enzymatic

Clinical Significance

Useful in the diagnosis and treatment of lactic acidosis (abnormally high acidity of the blood).Measurements of lactic acid are useful in the diagnosis and treatment of lactic acidosis (abnormally high acidity of the blood). Typically, patients with lactic acidosis and congestive heart failure or severe anemia show poor tissue oxygenation (hypoxia). Patients with lactic acidosis and diabetes mellitus, renal failure, or liver disease usually do not show evidence of tissue hypoxia.The amount of lactate in cerebrospinal fluid normally parallels blood levels. In cases of biochemical alterations in the central nervous system, however, CSF lactate values change independently of blood values. Increased CSF levels are detected in cerebrospinal accidents, intracranial hemorrhage, bacterial meningitis, epilepsy, and other CNS disorders.